… The parents say the May 28 fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil has reopened wounds they have struggled to heal, a situation they say is worsened by their ongoing search for answers. …
NAIROBI, Kenya Jun 12 – President William Ruto was notably absent on Friday as the nation gathered in Gilgil, Nakuru County, to pay respects to the 16 students who died in the tragic Utumishi Girls Academy dormitory fire, with First Lady Rachel Ruto instead leading the national m …
Requiem mass for girls killed in Utumishi Academy fire to be held today in Gilgil By Benjamin Muriuki June 12, 2026 08:17 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Am image representation of the fire at Utumishi Girl …
… The town emerged as a railway post in 1905 following the extension of the Gilgil–Nyahururu railway line, which opened the area to large-scale agricultural settlement. …
… Tragically, an arson at Utumishi Girls Academy Senior School in Gilgil, Nakuru County, on May 28, 2026, claimed the lives of 16 students and left 79 others injured. …
… The announcement comes amid heightened concern from parents and education authorities following recent incidents of unrest in schools, including the deadly fire tragedy at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, where 16 learners lost their lives. …
… The announcement came as the ministry confirmed 16 pupils died in a fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, on the night of May 28.Investigators established the blaze, which broke out at the school's Meline Waithera Dormitory, was an act of arson. …
… Tragically, an arson at Utumishi Girls Academy Senior School in Gilgil, Nakuru County, on May 28, 2026, claimed the lives of 16 students and left 79 others injured. …
Audio By VocalizeExperts link school unrest to communication gaps, mental health pressures and calls for stronger learner support systems in schools. [File,Standard] Weeks after 16 girls died in a fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, experts say Kenya is still asking the wro …
… He was accompanied by Dr Peter Munga, who owns the school.The PS spoke as several schools closed following student of unrest, with a tragic incident happening at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, where 16 learners were killed after their dormitory went up in flames. …
A Grade 9 pupil, Grace Nyarua, was found dead near a railway line in Echariria village, Gilgil, Nakuru County, on Monday morning, hours after going missing from her home on Sunday evening. Her body bore visible physical injuries, and her family has called for a thorough investigation.
A Grade 9 pupil, Grace Nyarua, was found dead near a railway line in Echariria village, Gilgil, Nakuru County, on Monday morning, hours after going missing from her home on Sunday evening. Her body bore visible physical injuries, and her family has called for a thorough investigation.
Kenya Polo Association president Jamie Murray says Kenyan polo must develop young talent through recruitment, training, and exposure, and win continental matches against African opponents before competing in Europe or South America. Murray cited recent improvements in younger players, including 15-year-old Archie Camm, as evidence of progress.
An inter-agency committee chaired by Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo has directed state agencies to urgently resolve outstanding issues for the Mau Summit–Eldoret–Malaba road project, which aims to upgrade a Northern Corridor link to improve movement of people and goods from Mombasa through western Kenya to Uganda and the wider East African region.
Fifteen-year-old Archie Camm was voted Most Valuable Player among players under handicap 0 at the Mug of Mugs Cup at Northern Kenya Polo Club, where his team Samurai finished second after losing 7.5–7 to eventual winners Sosian Spatchcocks.
Opposition DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua's convoy was attacked in Nakuru Town West on Friday, with several vehicles damaged. Affiliated politicians, including Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara, condemned the incident and questioned government disruption of Opposition rallies.
Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua dismissed President William Ruto's declaration that his UDA-ODM coalition "must win" the 2027 General Election as wishful thinking, citing the opposition's recent landslide victory in the Ol Kalou by-election. Gachagua made the remarks during a Nakuru County tour, hours after DCP claimed his convoy came under attack in Kaptembwa.
Zambia beat Kenya 8.5-5 at the Under 18 International tournament at Manyatta Polo Club in Gilgil, with Zambia's Captain Ryan Jellis scoring all but one of Zambia's goals and Kenya's Captain Lochie Murray scoring all five of Kenya's goals.
Led by captain Sharon Alela, the Nairobi Hospital polo team won the 2026 Trustees Cup at the Nairobi Polo Club and says they feel inspired to carry that momentum into the new season and upcoming tournaments.
Kenya's Under 18 polo team will face Zambia on Sunday in an international tournament at Manyatta Polo Club, following Kenya's victory over Zimbabwe last weekend. Test matches will take place this morning to help teams select their squads for the main match.
Utumishi Girls Academy held a prayer service for Form Four candidates preparing for KCSE examinations, honouring seven students from their cohort who died in a school fire two months earlier that killed 16 students total. The ceremony featured tribute songs and was led by the school's patron, Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat.
Lang'ata MP Phelix Odiwuor says he will reintroduce a Bill seeking to make National Youth Service training mandatory for all Form Four graduates before proceeding to university, college or employment, arguing the programme would instill discipline, patriotism and practical skills.
Kenya beat Zimbabwe 6-2.5 in a six-goal international polo match at Manyatta Polo Club in Gilgil, with Kenya scoring three quick goals in the opening chukka and maintaining their lead throughout the match.
Kenya's junior national polo team, comprising four young players selected from the Rift Valley/Swinburn Cups Championships, will face Zambia in the Schools International Championships at Manyatta Polo Club in Gilgil from Friday to Sunday, with test matches on Friday and Saturday preceding the main match on Sunday.
Nakuru County plans to establish a modern disaster and emergency centre in Naivasha with Sh120 million in funding, equipped with fire engines and ambulances to respond faster to fires, drownings, and floods. The initiative follows recent fire incidents and drowning deaths in and around Lake Naivasha.
Kenya A and Zimbabwe are set to compete in a Six-Goal-International polo match at Manyatta Polo Club in Gilgil on Sunday. Kenya A comes into the match after defeating Kenya C 5-2.5, while Zimbabwe lost to Kenya B 4.5-4.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga has called Thursday's Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election a preview of the 2027 General Election, citing reports of intimidation, bribery, and violence. According to Maraga, at least eight people were injured in clashes, masked men assaulted residents, and voters were offered money and goods in exchange for their votes.
The Standard criticizes President Ruto for not addressing a rising culture of goons in Kenya, noting his silence contrasts with public outcry following violence at political rallies in Nyahururu and Kisumu that left 2 people dead. Deputy President Kindiki spoke on the matter, but the President has remained largely quiet and presidential directives to deal with goons have been infrequent.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission has demanded that the IEBC ensure a credible Ol Kalou by-election amid claims of bribery, intimidation and resource misuse. The commission called for an independent, impartial and transparent poll and asked the National Police Service to increase security while ensuring officers remain professional and impartial.
Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has written to the IEBC alleging that a July 13 meeting was used to plan electoral malpractice in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election scheduled for July 16, claiming select UDA officials and government officers met to influence the election outcome.
Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga has cautioned students against arson attacks on school property, warning that those found responsible will face the full force of the law, including possible life imprisonment. He urged students to use dialogue to resolve grievances rather than resorting to violence and destruction of property.
Three people were injured and two vehicles extensively damaged when supporters of rival political camps clashed while campaigning for the upcoming Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election. Transport along the Gilgil–Ol Kalou road was halted on Saturday after police fired in the air to disperse groups that had barricaded the highway.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission and Elimu Bora Working Group have filed a constitutional petition seeking to prevent the reopening of Meline Waithera dormitory at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, where 16 students died in an arson attack. The organisations argue that past safety failures must be addressed and recommendations implemented before the dormitory reopens, with eight girls charged in connection with the incident.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba confirmed that a special task force to investigate rising school unrest will be gazetted within two weeks. The multi-stakeholder team, which will include students and parents for the first time, will collect views and submit its report within 90 days, and those found responsible for incidents will face the law.
A 33-year-old woman in Nairobi allegedly sustained life-altering injuries after being brutally assaulted by her husband on May 13, 2025, in Pipeline, Nakuru County. Her family is appealing for justice and accuses police of delaying investigations, stating the alleged assault occurred while the woman was eight months pregnant and required emergency hospitalization and an emergency Caesarean section.
Kenya National Highways Authority announced that Shandong Hi-Speed Road and Bridge International will construct the 94-kilometre second phase of the Rironi–Mau Summit Road from Rironi to Naivasha through Mai Mahiu at an estimated cost of Ksh.87.6 billion, while China Road and Bridge Corporation will handle the first phase at Ksh.96.1 billion.
Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil has begun phased reopening following a May 28 fire that killed 16 students. Form Four students returned today, with Grade 10 and Form Three students scheduled to resume on Monday and Thursday respectively, as the school provides psychosocial support and has constructed temporary dormitories for at least 200 students.
The High Court has postponed a decision on releasing eight minors accused of murder in connection with a dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy that killed 16 students, pending a comprehensive pre-bail report due by September 22. Justice Diana Kavedza ordered probation officers to gather views from victims' families, school administration, investigators, and the accused minors before the court rules on bail.
Eight minors from Utumishi Girls Academy have been formally charged with murder over the death of a fellow student and have pleaded not guilty. The High Court directed that their identities remain protected throughout the proceedings, and the court issued strict guidelines barring any publication that could reveal the minors' identities.